Share
6th March 2025
03:06pm GMT
Russia has responded to French President Emmanuel Macron's hint that his country could use its nuclear weapons.
Macron's speech as 'extremely confrontational' by Russia, who also suggested that Paris wants the war in Ukraine to continue.
Tthe French President said that France could extend its nuclear umbrella to protect allied nations on the continent, however, he did not name which countries.
Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, displayed Macron's speech as a direct threat from Europe to Moscow.
"If he considers us a threat, convenes a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of European countries and Britain, says it is necessary to use nuclear weapons, prepares to use nuclear weapons against Russia, this is, of course, a threat," said Levrov, according to state-run news agency, RIA.
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, added that Macron's speech was not one from a leader who wants a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a televised speech to his country last night, Macron warned that Russian aggression 'knows no borders'.
He stated that Ukraine is not Vladimir Putin's final goal, calling Russia a direct threat to France and Europe.
Furthermore, the president added that allied countries can no longer rely on support from the US.
“I want to believe the US will stay by our side, but we have to be ready if that isn’t the case,” said Macron.
He continued: “I’m speaking to you tonight because of the international situation and its consequences for Europe … I know you are legitimately worried faced with the historic events that are shaking the world order.
“The war in Ukraine, which has left almost one million dead and injured, continues with the same intensity. The US, our ally, has changed its position on this war, supporting Ukraine less and allowing doubt to linger on what will come next.”
He described the world as 'increasingly brutal', and said it would be 'madness to stay a spectator in this world of danger'.
Finally, Macron stated that peace would not be achieved by 'abandoning Ukraine', and suggested that their resistance would be closely connected to Europe's safety.
